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WWF-Canada releases Living Planet Report

Posted on September 15

On September 13, 2017 our conservation colleagues at WWF-Canada released their Living Planet Report, which showed some dramatic decreases in Canadian wildlife. Their study found that from 1970 to 2014, 50% of monitored wildlife species in Canada have declined. While startling, these numbers paint a very serious picture of state of wildlife in our country.

“We know that more and more species are at-risk in Canada and we know that protecting them is very hard and courageous work,” says Dr. Axel Moehrenschlager, Director Conservation and Science, Calgary Zoo. “While it can seem daunting when we see numbers like this, there is very much reason for hope. Our work at the Calgary Zoo, which involves global efforts in species recovery, also includes eight at-risk species in Western Canada and is making a difference."

"For example, this past year we advanced essential science such as through the 10th year of our prairie dog / black-footed ferret recovery project and we released burrowing owls, whooping cranes, Vancouver Island marmots, and northern leopard frogs back into the wild. I am optimistic that collaborating with conservation organizations like WWF-Canada, stakeholders and every day citizens, we can and will make a difference to the animals in our own backyard.”